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Utah notary rules: the official seal and stamp

What the Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook says about the official seal and stamp, as 13 exam-style questions with the answer and the exact rule.

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1. What is the requirement for using an embossed seal impression in addition to the photographically reproducible seal?It may be used in addition to, but not in place of, the required photographically reproducible seal. The rule clarifies that the embossed seal is supplementary and cannot substitute for the required reproducible seal.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 40: “A notary may use an embossed seal impression that is not photographically reproducible in addition to, but not in place of, the photographically reproducible official seal required in this section.”
2. Under what specific condition is a notary required to obtain a new official seal?When the notary changes their name of record during their commission. The statute lists changing the name of record during the commission period as a specific trigger for obtaining a new seal.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 39: “If the notary changes the notary's name of record at any time during the notary's commission.”
3. What color ink must be used for an official seal applied during an in-person notarization?Purple ink. The statute specifies purple ink for seals used in physical, in-person notarizations.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 39: “Each official seal used for an in-person notarization shall be in purple ink.”
4. What constitutes an 'Official Seal' according to the definitions provided?The seal described in section 46-1-16 that a notary may attach to a notarial certificate. The handbook defines the official seal specifically as the seal described in section 46-1-16 which is attached to the certificate, distinguishing it from general stamps or signatures.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 26: “"Official Seal" means a. The seal described in section 46-1-16 that a notary may attach to a notarial certificate to complete a notarization.”
5. Who is permitted to create, obtain, or possess an electronic seal under the handbook?Only a certified remote notary, or a business providing the seal solely to such a notary. The handbook restricts possession of electronic seals to remote notaries, with a specific exception for businesses providing them to certified remote notaries.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 41: “Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), an individual may not create, obtain, or possess an electronic seal unless the individual is a remote notary.”
6. Under Utah law, what specific action must a notary take regarding their official seal and certificate upon resigning their commission?Destroy them in accordance with subsection 46-1-16(9). The statute mandates the destruction of the seal and certificate upon resignation, rather than returning, keeping, or transferring them.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 42: “A notary who resigns shall destroy the official seal and certificate in accordance with subsection 46-1-16(9).”
7. Which of the following is true regarding the ownership and custody of the official notarial seal?The seal is the exclusive property of the notary and may not be used by any other person. Reference 46-1-16(2)(a) defines the seal as the exclusive property of the notary and prohibits its use by others.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 10: “A notary shall keep an official notarial seal that is the exclusive property of the notary and that may not be used by any other person”
8. What is the maximum allowable size for the rectangular border surrounding the required words and official seal?One inch by two and one-half inches. The handbook specifies the exact dimensions for the seal's border as no larger than one inch by two and one-half inches.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 40: “A rectangular border no larger than one inch by two and one-half inches surrounding the required words and official seal.”
9. What is the correct procedure regarding the notary seal and certificate when a notary's employment ends?The notary must leave the seal and certificate with the employer. The handbook lists 'Leaving the notary seal and certificate with the employer upon termination of employment' as one of the top mistakes, implying this is the expected or required action described in the context of the handbook's guidance on common errors or procedures.
   Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 5: “Leaving the notary seal and certificate with the employer upon termination of employment”
10. What is the requirement for using a notarial seal according to the handbook?The seal may only be used if there is notarial language and a signature in place. The rule mandates that the seal cannot be used in isolation; it requires accompanying notarial language and the notary's signature.
    Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 15: “Every notarization is required to have the notary’s seal (stamp), notarial language, and notary’s signature. A notary’s seal may not be used unless there is notarial language and a signature in place.”
11. Under what condition is a business NOT guilty of violating the rule regarding creating, obtaining, or possessing an electronic seal?If the business creates the seal for the sole purpose of providing it to a certified remote notary. The handbook provides a specific exception for businesses that handle electronic seals solely to supply them to certified remote notaries.
    Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 41: “A person is not guilty of a violation of subsection (2)(a) if the person is a business that creates, obtains, or possesses an electronic seal for the sole purpose of providing the electronic seal to a certified remote notary.”
12. What document must an individual present to obtain an official seal if they are claiming to be a notary?A copy of the individual's notarial commission attached to a notarized declaration. The handbook specifies that a copy of the commission attached to a notarized declaration is required evidence for obtaining the official seal.
    Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 41: “unless the individual presents a copy of the individual's notarial commission, attached to a notarized declaration substantially as follows:”
13. For a remote notarization, what color must the official seal be rendered in?Black. The handbook clearly states that remote notarization seals must be rendered in black, contrasting with the purple ink required for in-person acts.
    Utah Notary Public Study Guide and Handbook, page 39: “Each official seal used for a remote notarization shall be rendered in black.”

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